Apple Still Failing to Protect Factory Workers, BBC Documentary Finds

An undercover investigation by the BBC's Panorama team has found that Apple is still failing to protect those that work at the factories of its parts manufacturers.

The Apple's Broken Promises documentary found that staff at the Pegatron factories routinely were encouraged to work unhealthy hours building devices, while issues with underage workers and dormitory conditions were common too.

One undercover worker was made to work 18 days in a row, while another found it wasn't unusual to work 16 hour shifts. One reporter found 12 workers sharing a single dormitory room.

Elsewhere in the report, the team travelled to an Indonesian mine where children were found working in dangerous conditions. The reporters claim that tin from illegal mining operations may also be making its way into Apple's products.

Apple offered this statement in response to the BBC's investigation:

We are aware of no other company doing as much as Apple to ensure fair and safe working conditions.

We work with suppliers to address shortfalls, and we see continuous and significant improvement, but we know our work is never done.